Reviews

I was at the Glastonbury festival about a month ago (now safely back in Colorado..) and *LIVE* played for an hour there. I believe it was part of the SS tour, although it was never officially posted anywhere. Well, you know how British weather can be.. So we were on the last day of the festival (following Prodigy and Chemical Brothers..) and by now there was more mud surrounding the camp than I have ever seen in my life. Now, I was a little used to this because I lived in Lancaster for a year, but my god...We were walking around in our 'wellies' (being sold for 15 quid!!!) and trying not to stand still long enough to sink in the mud and not be able to get ourselves out. So, on the last day I begged all of my English friends to make a Mecca to the Pyramid stage (?) with me to see one of my favorites for over six years..LIVE. OK, so keeping in mind that at this point in the festival, we were all tired, hungry, and MUDDY! So, we get down to the stage, the sky was grey and wet, and we were standing in approx. 6+ inches of wet/sticky mud. So (and forgive me on this one..) the English approach to a greeting for the band came in the form of lots and lots of mud balls. So much in fact that they were dripping off the speakers, drums, and even came really close to hitting the guys lots of times. So like the third song, Ed stops singing and says (something to the effect of..) the "next one of you mother f**kers who throws mud at me, I will personally come down and..." But, unfortunately, everyone was a bit Glastonbury stir crazy, and the mud kept on being hurled. At first Ed was getting a bit aggravated. I can't say that I blame him. But then, you could almost see an attitude shift in him. As if to say.."Ok mates, if you want to be this way, I am going to put on an absolutely cracking show!!!" and that he did. He was smiling and singing and turned his frustrations with the weather/rain/mud into an all out festivity. By the end, the crowd was well into the sound, and the highlight came at the end. They were on their last song and out of the crowd...comes one huge last mud ball. With a cheeky grin Ed swung at the mud with his microphone and hit it dead on. It shattered over the audience and he gleefully (and playfully) gave the crowd the middle finger, followed by the good ole Sex Pistol two finger English greeting... He won the game.. And it was brilliant. The audience definitely enjoyed the show, and they also seemed to have a bit of respect for the ole American Chap, as I heard fantastic remarks as we were trying to make it out of the mud and back to our tents for some tea!! It was like some sort of weird test the Brits like giving, and if you pass, you're in.
DEMI GONGOS

Brixton Academy, July 1st. It's raining, as usual, but this doesn't stop me from meeting LIVE (minus Ed) as they arrive for sound check. I was really nervous and didn't say much, but I did get Pat's and the two Chads autographs!! So, after waiting several hours, grinning like a Cheshire cat, I eventually got into the building. I found it was a small but cosy venue, which apparently houses around 4 thousand (ish). I made my way to the front, just to the right. (it made a good place to view without being crushed), and by now, the support group, 'Catherine Wheel' were already playing. I knew who they were and liked hearing them live, but the crowd just grumbled; and as they left the stage, the majority of the audience erupted into a huge cheer, because this meant that Live were coming on next! We had to wait around half an hour between groups, but this was cool, *smile* There's nothing like a build up...
The set was very basic, with a few drapes at the back of the stage lit up. It has to be said now, that the lighting effects were absolutely stunning throughout the whole show!! Live came on and opened with 'Rattlesnake'. The crowd went wild, and Ed and the crowd sang as one. It was amazing. Next came the unmistakable and unforgettable guitar riff of 'Lakini's Juice', and again, the crowd screamed louder. It was like the music was a life source, it made me feel alive. 'Century' came next, and by now the party was in full swing! The show lasted for about one and three quarter hours, which included the two encores. They played all of my favourites; 'Iris', 'I Alone' and especially 'HeroPsychoDreamer'! And I didn't mind the lack of material from Mental Jewelry, like some other fans do. The crowd was very enthusiastic and the atmosphere created.. it was just so intense. The only down side of the evening came when they began to play 'White, Discussion', because this always signals the end, but it was a spectacular finale. However, it didn't end there. Once outside of the building, I decided that because I'd missed Ed earlier, I would wait for him to leave. One and a half hours later, my patience paid off and I finally got Ed to sign my CD! AHHH!!! What a night. And to anyone who hasn't seen them live yet..what are you waiting for? Do it, you won't regret it!!
ANNETTE MILLER

The Hershey concert was wonderful - the audience was psyched and the light show was in perfect unison with the music. Live sounded great, as usual, and for those fans who've been listening for years, their sound has really matured. It seemed that they were a little too relaxed though because they appeared unorganised. Their equipment interrupted the set several times because of problems and Ed even dropped the microphone (accidentally) during 'White, Discussion'. Overall, the show was good and I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.
KIM HARTLE

Well, I went to the Live concert at Darien Lake on July 26th, 1997. I was kind of bummed about the Fun Lovin' Criminals cancel due to EMI's collapse, but nonetheless, I went to see Live. I got there just as Luscious Jackson hit the stage...the lead singer made the crowd scream when she said go! They were okay really and they did have a cool song ... and so of course, everyone got into 'Naked Eye'...but their biggest applause was when they said they were over and Live was coming up next...
Now, I stood in line for these tickets and ended up in the 9th row. Not bad..I was on the left side of the stage..waiting for Live to come on, it was very anxiously awaited..people cheered when the stage crew came on because they thought it was the band....when they came on, it was a deafening roar, and immediately plunged into 'Rattlesnake'...After that, it was just awesome. Every time the lights went yellow, so the crowd could be seen, it was just deafening. Every song they played, it seemed everyone knew the words...and when 'Lightning Crashes' came on, well, the lighters went up. They ended to an enormous cheer and came back on for an encore, not once, but twice...after the first encore of four songs was over, it sounded like that would be it after Ed said "goodnight, remember not to drink and drive" or something like that. But after the crowd didn't move, they came back on, played a song and Ed said "if you leave now, you'll miss something special..." he then ran off stage and came back on with a purple sequin outfit and boa, and jammed a slightly different 'White, Discussion'. All in all, it was an awesome concert...four out of four stars... for sure!!!!
TIM KASPRZAK

I went to the Live show at Toronto's Molson Ampitheatre on July 27th, and had the time of my life. I arrived right before Live came on, so I unfortunately missed Holly McNarland's performance. I didn't mind too much about missing Luscious Jackson. The set was awesome, with an orange-ish glow, and chandeliers hanging down. The lighting adapted as the sun went down. Ed wore his sequin shirt with the purple feathered boa. I was pleasantly surprised by his new bleached hair look. Chad wore an orange t-shirt, and that's all I can remember about their clothing.The setlist included Rattlesnake as the sun went down, every track from SS except for Insomnia...Pain Lies On The Riverside, with performances of I alone, Selling the Drama, Lightning Crashes and All Over You that went straight to the heart. White Discussion ended it off with a bang. Most of the crowd seemed to be newer fans (who shared blank looks when Pain Lies....started). There were a fair share of older fans, however, who seemed to be having the time of their lives as well. Unfortunately, the show didn't sell out, but it was amazing all the same. That was my first time seeing Live perform, and it definitely WON'T be my last!!!! I love this band and am ordering you to go see them and have tons of fun! (like you wouldn't anyway). Live rules!!!
JENN HAWKMOON